Young Artist Competition

PLEASE READ RULES CAREFULLY

1. Junior Division Competitor Age: Must be at least 12 years of age and no older that 16 years of age at the time of Final Round Audition.
2. Open Division Competitor Age: Must be at least 14 years of age and no older that 24 years of age at the time of Final Round Audition.
3. Instrument: Competitor must perform on piano or a standard orchestral instrument. Vocalists are not included in this competition.
4. Composition: The Open Division Competitor must be prepared to perform a complete concerto or solo work with orchestra accompaniment. The Junior Competitor must be prepared to perform a single movement from a concerto or solo work with orchestra accompaniment.
5. Competition Performance: The competitor must be prepared to perform their entry as described in the “Composition” paragraph except with an accompanist.
   1. Open Classification: The competition will be a live performance, performed from memory, and with an accompanist provided by the competitor.
   2. Junior Classification: The competition will be divided into two rounds:
      1. First / Qualifying Round: The competitor must submit a video performance featuring the competitor, performed from memory, and with an accompanist provided by the competitor. Video shall be framed to allow judges to see the competitor and the accompanist including their hands as each use their respective instruments. Judges will review the videos and decide who will qualify for the Final Audition Round. Please refer to the Decision process described below.
      2. Final Audition Round: The final round of competition will be a live performance, performed from memory, and with an accompanist provided by the competitor.  For both the Open and Junior competitions, the judges will determine which portions of the presented work will be performed at the live final round audition.
6. Accompanist: Competitors must perform with their own accompanist and provide a physical copy of the score for the judges at the time of the live audition performance.
7. Judges: The judges are the Music Director, the Concertmaster, and the Young Artist Competition Committee.
8. Decision: The decision of the judges is final and irrevocable. Judging is based on performance standard and suitability for playing with the Orchestra. The age of a competitor is not a consideration. If, in the opinion of the judges, no competitor attains an adequate standard of excellence for the award or advancement to the next round, the judges shall have the right to promote no one.
9. Winner Performance: The winners will receive a cash honorarium of $1,000 and $500 for the Open and Junior Competitions respectively and will perform with the Orchestra at a concert during the current season. The performance date will be set in consultation with the Music Director of the Pasadena Community Orchestra and will be announced on the Pasadena Community Orchestra website. The music performed at the concert will be that presented at the competition.
10. Application: The application is to be completed online (along with an online application fee payment-see rule 11).
11. Application Deadline: The closing date for receipt of entries is published on our website. It is the responsibility of the competitor to be sure that the application is submitted on time. Late applications will not be considered. Due to limited audition times, only the first twelve applications will be accepted for the Open Competition. Though there is no limit to the number of competitors for the First Round for the Junior Division, the Final Audition Round participation is limited to 12.
12. Application Fee: An application fee of $75[1] must accompany the online entry form. Once the application has been received and accepted, no refund will be made
13. Additional Information: Please email yac@pcomusic.org.
14. All applicants will receive notification of their competition status and competition time via email.  Please feel free to contact us if you have not heard from us within 2 weeks.

[1] 3^rd-party payment service fees may apply​